Apni Party calls for unity among all political entities to protect J&K’s rights

Srinagar, July 13: Expressing deep concern over the central government's move to amend the J&K Reorganization Act, 2019, to give additional powers to the Lieutenant Governor, Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday called for unity among all regional political parties. He emphasised the need to collectively advocate for the restoration of J&K's statehood with all the powers it held before August 5, 2019.

Bukhari expressed his concern over the amendment, and said, “Amending the J&K Reorganization Act to increase LG’s powers would eventually weaken the State, diminish the Assembly’s authority, and undermine the elected government in the future.”

Pertinently, the Ministry of Home Affairs has amended the J&K Reorganization Act, 2019, granting the lieutenant governor increased powers over the transfers and postings of all-India service officers, police, and the appointment of judicial officers. This amendment will eventually diminish the powers of the J&K Assembly and the elected government.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Bukhari urged all regional parties to join hands to ensure that J&K has an assembly and its elected government with the full range of powers it previously held.

Bukhari said, “This is something alarming, and J&K’s political parties cannot afford to remain silent on this amendment. We need to unite and advocate for the rights of J&K and its people. Therefore, Apni Party, as a smaller and newer political entity, requests all regional political parties to set aside our political differences and join hands to ensure the restoration of rights to Jammu and Kashmir. We cannot afford a weak assembly and a powerless elected government. To effectively address pressing public issues and grievances, J&K needs a strong assembly and a capable government, regardless of who is elected. It is high time that we collectively raise our voice. This is imperative; it's now or never.”

He further said, “We do not demand anything extraordinary; we simply ask to be granted what we are entitled to under the constitution of the country. Why shouldn't J&K have an assembly and government with the same powers enjoyed by every other state? This is our right, and I urge all parties to unite in reclaiming this right.”

“Post-August 2019, Apni Party engaged with government leaders in Delhi to secure the restoration of exclusive rights for the people of J&K over agricultural land and jobs. Although we were ridiculed, accused, and even abused at that time for going to Delhi and meeting the leaders, the fact is that we successfully ensured the protection of lands and jobs for the people in J&K. However, this time it is imperative that all political parties unite to ensure the reinstatement of our assembly and statehood with the same powers we previously held,” he added.

Talking about some grave issues that people in J&K are suffering with, Bukhari said, “People in Jammu and Kashmir are grappling with and suffering from grave issues that need to be resolved. A significant number of young people are behind bars and need to be released so they can return to their normal lives with their families. Police verification reports for thousands of passport seekers and job aspirants are being withheld, causing immense suffering for these individuals. Unemployment and a lack of opportunities are increasing here. All these and other similar issues need to be addressed. That is why we require an elected government with full powers, regardless of which party is elected or who is chosen by the people to lead. We cannot afford a powerless chief minister here. Therefore, Apni Party humbly requests all regional political forces to come together to ensure statehood and a government with full powers.”

Talking about the MP elected for the Baramulla seat, Engineer Rashid, Apni Party president said, “It is unfortunate that an elected representative, who was given a mandate by the five lakh people in the Baramulla constituency, continues to be behind bars. This is a complete injustice to the people. Jointly, we can raise this issue as well.”

Bukhari was flanked by his senior party colleagues, including Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir; Vice President Usman Majid; Vice President Zaffar Iqbal Manhas; General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir; Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir; party’s Chief Coordinator Abdul Majeed Padder; State Secretary and Chief Spokesperson Muntazir Mohi-ud-Din; Media Advisor Farooq Andrabi; District President Kupwara Raja Manzoor; District President Srinagar Noor Mohammad Sheikh; District President Anantnag Abdul Rahim Rather; and others.